FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has referred two police-involved cases to the Georgia Attorney General for possible prosecution.
The shooting of Rayshard Brooks, and the tasing incident involving college students Taniyah Pilgrim and Messiah Young originally were investigated by Willis’ predecessor, Paul Howard.
“I did not think this office could prosecute those cases,” Willis said, noting that Howard used video from both high-profile cases in political ads.
“He put it on the radio. He also ran it on television ads. I don’t think the public would think this office was the right office,” she said.
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Additionally, Willis said the GBI is investigating the D.A.’s office under Howard. Some staff being questioned worked on these two cases in particular.
The attorney representing the victims in both cases was not aware of the change until the media released the information. There was a statement sent that read in part: “Rayshard Brooks, Taniyah Pilgrim and Messiah Young deserve justice. Rest assured, our office will monitor the progress of the criminal cases against the officers involved and will do everything in our power to ensure that their voices are heard and justice is served.”
Willis said she should have given the attorney notice in more formal way.
“So, if I have a regret, I wished that I would have picked up the phone and said, ‘The decision has been made,’” she said.
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